Virginia man among 7 Marines killed in helicopter crash

WASHINGTON – A Virginia man was among the Marines killed in a fiery collision of two helicopters in the California desert earlier this week.

Capt. Michael M. Quin, 28, of Purcellville, Va., who joined the Marine Corps in 2006 and served as a UH-1Y Huey pilot was lost along with six others in a training mission.

Quins personal awards include two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, National Defense Service Medal and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.

The two helicopters belonged to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing from Camp Pendleton, California.

Officials said it could take weeks to determine what caused two helicopters, an AH-1W Cobra and a UH-1 Huey, to crash in midair during a routine exercise Wednesday night, killing all aboard the aircraft.